Clinical management, pathogen spectrum and outcomes in patients with pyogenic liver abscess in a German tertiary-care hospital.

Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) are life-threatening disorders and require immediate treatment, but structured evidence is sparse and treatment guidelines are not established. In a retrospective observational study of 221 adult PLA patients (mean age 63 years, 63% men) treated between 2013 and 2019 at the Leipzig University Medical Center, we characterized pathogen spectrum, clinical management and outcomes. Biliary malignancies (33%), cholelithiasis (23%) and ischemic biliary tract disease (16%) were most common causes of PLA.

Presence of hypervirulence-associated determinants in Klebsiella pneumoniae from hospitalised patients in Germany.

Background: Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae is a ubiquitous Gram-negative bacterium and a common coloniser of animals and humans. Today, K.

Rectal colonization is predictive for surgical site infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria in abdominal surgery.

Purpose: Superficial surgical site infections (SSI) are a common complication after abdominal surgery. Additionally, multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) have shown an increasing spread in recent years with a growing importance for health care. As there is varying evidence on the importance of MDRO in different surgical fields and countries as causative agents of SSI, we report our findings of MDRO-caused SSI.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases found in Escherichia coli isolates obtained from blood cultures and corresponding stool specimen.

With extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and CTX-M enzymes being on the rise, antimicrobial treatment of enterobacterial infections is becoming more and more challenging. Our study aimed at a molecular characterization of phenotypically ESBL-positive E. coli strains obtained from blood cultures of patients of the University Hospital of Leipzig (UKL), Germany.

The Value of Perinatal Factors, Blood Biomarkers and Microbiological Colonization Screening in Predicting Neonatal Sepsis.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of the most important causes of elevated morbidity and mortality rates in neonatal intensive care units worldwide. While the clinical manifestations of neonatal sepsis tend to be nonspecific, its rapid development and life-threatening potential call for reliable markers for early detection. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study including all neonates suspected of having developed neonatal sepsis from 2013 to 2016.

Pathogens and Shift of Resistance in Early Infections after Operative Fracture Fixation.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a challenge for the healthcare system. During the last 30 years, the literature has shown an increase of gram-negative bacterial strains in multiple infectious sites and that cephalosporins have replaced penicillin as the gold standard in peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis. This study aims to examine the recent bacterial spectrum in orthopedic early SSIs and to compare it with a historical cohort.

Recurrent bacteremia with a hypermucoviscous Escherichia coli isolated from a patient with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: insights from a comprehensive genome-based analysis.

Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common human pathogen, responsible for a broad spectrum of infections. Sites of infection can vary, but the hepato-biliary system is of particular concern due to the infection-associated formation of gallstones and the spread of pathogens from the bile ducts into the bloodstream.

Evaluation of a Luminometric Cell Counting System in Context of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation.

Antimicrobial resistance belongs to the most demanding medical challenges, and antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) is considered a promising alternative to classical antibiotics. However, the pharmacologic characterization of novel compounds suitable for aPDI is a tedious and time-consuming task that usually requires preparation of bacterial cultures and counting of bacterial colonies. In this study, we established and utilized a luminescence-based microbial cell viability assay to analyze the aPDI effects of two porphyrin-based photosensitizers (TMPyP and THPTS) on several bacterial strains with antimicrobial resistance.

The -Substituted Isomer of TMPyP Enables More Effective Photodynamic Bacterial Inactivation than -TMPyP In Vitro.

Porphyrinoid-based photodynamic inactivation (PDI) provides a promising approach to treating multidrug-resistant infections. However, available agents for PDI still have optimization potential with regard to effectiveness, toxicology, chemical stability, and solubility. The currently available photosensitizer TMPyP is provided with a para substitution pattern (para-TMPyP) of the pyridinium groups and has been demonstrated to be effective for PDI of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Comparison of the certified Copan eSwab system with commercially available cotton swabs for the detection of multidrug-resistant bacteria in rectal swabs.

Background: Rectal swabs are well-implemented screening tools for multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB). Since certified swabs such as the Copan eSwab system experienced a delivery bottleneck during the COVID-19 pandemic, commercially available alternatives such as commonly used double-tipped cotton swabs had to be investigated, especially considering their similarity to professional cotton swabs for microbiological purposes.

Methods: Diagnostic properties of commercial cotton swabs (comparable to Q-tips) and Copan eSwabs were qualitatively compared in a prospective single-center study using microbiological standard cultures and PCR methods for the detection of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).

Context-aware genomic surveillance reveals hidden transmission of a carbapenemase-producing .

Genomic surveillance can inform effective public health responses to pathogen outbreaks. However, integration of non-local data is rarely done. We investigate two large hospital outbreaks of a carbapenemase-carrying strain in Germany and show the value of contextual data.

Surgical Revision Promotes Presence of Enterococcus spp. in Abdominal Superficial Surgical Site Infections.

Background: Superficial surgical site infections (SSSIs) are a major reason for morbidity after abdominal surgery. Microbiologic isolates of SSSIs vary widely geographically. Therefore, knowledge about the specific bacterial profile is of paramount importance to prevent SSSI.

Changes in antibiotic consumption, AMR and Clostridioides difficile infections in a large tertiary-care center following the implementation of institution-specific guidelines for antimicrobial therapy: A nine-year interrupted time series study.

Background: Institution-specific guidelines (ISGs) within the framework of antimicrobial stewardship programs offer locally tailored decision support taking into account local pathogen and resistance epidemiology as well as national and international guidelines.

Objectives: To assess the impact of ISGs for antimicrobial therapy on antibiotic consumption and subsequent changes in resistance rates and Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs).

Methods: The study was conducted at the Leipzig University Hospital, a 1,451-bed tertiary-care medical center, and covered the years 2012 to 2020.

Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Bacterial Isolates from Neonatal Sepsis Patients at University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany.

Neonatal sepsis caused by resistant bacteria is a worldwide concern due to the associated high mortality and increased hospitals costs. Bacterial pathogens causing neonatal sepsis and their antibiotic resistance patterns vary among hospital settings and at different points in time. This study aimed to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns of pathogens causing neonatal sepsis and to assess trends in antibiotic resistance.

Photosensitizer-loaded hydrogels for photodynamic inactivation of multirestistant bacteria in wounds.

Photodynamic treatment is a promising tool for the therapy of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In this study, we highlight photosensitizer-loaded hydrogels as an application system for infected wounds. The poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate-based and electron beam-polymerized hydrogels were mechanically stable and transparent.

Hypervirulent of Lineage ST66-K2 Caused Tonsillopharyngitis in a German Patient.

Hypervirulent (hvKp) is a novel pathotype that has been rarely described in Europe. This study characterizes a hvKp isolate that caused a community-acquired infection. The hypermucoviscous () strain 18-0005 was obtained from a German patient with tonsillopharyngitis in 2017.

The Diagnostic Performance of Interleukin-6 and C-Reactive Protein for Early Identification of Neonatal Sepsis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are being used for diagnosis of sepsis. However, studies have reported varying cut-off levels and diagnostic performance. This study aims to investigate the optimal cut-off levels and performance of IL-6 and CRP for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Relocating a pediatric hospital: Does antimicrobial resistance change?

Objective: Analyze the changes in antimicrobial drug resistance patterns due to hospital relocation. To this end, we conducted a retrospective analysis of microbiological results, especially minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of all isolates from blood, urine and bronchial secretions, in our pediatric university hospital before and after moving to a new building.

Results: While the number of tests done did not change, the fraction of those positive increased, more MICs were determined and certain microbes (A.

Tetrahydroporphyrin-tetratosylate (THPTS)-based photodynamic inactivation of critical multidrug-resistant bacteria in vitro.

Background: Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a promising approach to treat multidrug-resistant infections. However, effectiveness of PDI is limited, particularly in Gram-negative bacteria. The use of photosensitizer (PS) 3,3',3'',3'''-(7,8,17,18-tetrahydro-21H,23H-porphyrine-5,10,15,20-tetrayl)tetrakis[1-methyl-pyridinium]tetratosylate (THPTS) and laser light has led to very promising results.

[Typhoid and paratyphoid fever].

Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are systemic infectious diseases of global significance caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica Serovar Typhi (short name: Salmonella Typhi) or Serovar Paratyphi (short name: Salmonella Paratyphi). The course of these fecal-orally transmitted diseases is mainly characterized by a high fever. Left untreated, the course of typhoid fever can be severe and lethal.

Hospital-wide ELectronic medical record evaluated computerised decision support system to improve outcomes of Patients with staphylococcal bloodstream infection (HELP): study protocol for a multicentre stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial.

Introduction: are the most commonly identified pathogens in bloodstream infections. Identification of in blood culture (SAB) requires a prompt and adequate clinical management. The detection of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), however, corresponds to contamination in about 75% of the cases.